PhoneLifespan

Apple iPhone 6s Plus

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$60
used/refurbished market price
$749 at launch

How long will it last?

Our estimate

Supported until June 2027 · Buy-by June 2025

352
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2015◆ Buy-by Jun 20252027

Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~11-year update track record — on that basis the iPhone 6s Plus should be supported until around June 2027. Buying it today still gets you about 1.0 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).

Source: Apple's documentation · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$5.18/month

23% cheaper than the under-$300 median ($6.74/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

A 2015 big-screen iPhone with 3D Touch that, remarkably, still gets iOS 15 security patches.

Pros

  • Apple kept issuing iOS 15 security updates (15.8.x) into 2026
  • Large 5.5-inch screen with a still-decent 12MP camera
  • Solid aluminum build and reliable Touch ID

Cons

  • No water resistance and no wireless charging
  • Stuck on iOS 15 and feels slow with heavy multitasking
Best for: Ultra-budget buyers wanting a big-screen iPhoneBest for: Simple use like calls, messaging and the cameraAvoid if: You want modern apps or a fast experienceAvoid if: You need water resistance or current iOS features

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen5.5-inch LCD (Retina HD IPS), 1920x1080, 60Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetApple A9
RAM2GB
Storage16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main12MP
front5MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery2,750 mAh
ChargingLightning wired (up to ~12W)
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions158.2 × 77.9 × 7.3 mm
Weight192 g
MaterialsSeries 7000 aluminum unibody, glass front
Water resistanceNone
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareiOS 9 at launch
Connectivity4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Lightning
Update policy~7 years of updates (our estimate from Apple's track record — written minimum is 5 years)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

How long will the iPhone 6s Plus get updates?

It maxes out at iOS 15, but Apple has kept releasing iOS 15 security updates (15.8.x) into 2026. These security-only patches may run into roughly 2027, even though feature updates stopped years ago.

What was special about the iPhone 6s Plus when it launched?

It introduced 3D Touch pressure-sensitive input and Live Photos, plus a jump to a 12MP camera and the A9 chip over the iPhone 6 Plus.

Is the iPhone 6s Plus usable in 2026?

Only for very light use. It still receives security patches, but its age and iOS 15 ceiling mean many current apps will not run, so treat it as a basic or backup phone.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.